The Harding Presidency (12.2)

The Harding administration appealed to America’s desire for calm and

peace, but resulted in scandal

Quick-write

• What do you think are two of the most important factors people have when voting for a President?

Harding

• Many believed he was elected because “he looked like a President should”.

• A former Senator who was silver haired and promised a return to “normalcy”.

Struggles for Peace

• After WWI many nations were were invited for a Washington Naval Conference.

• Russia was left out because they were a communist nation.

• It was suggested that the U.S., Great Britain, Japan, France, & Italy scrap much of their Navy.

• The Kellogg-Briand Pact would be signed and it renounced war as a policy.

Quick-write

• How might nations enforce this new pact or agreement?

Tariffs & Reparations

• It got awkward when England and France had to pay back the U.S. for war loans.

• America adopted the Fordney-McCumber Tariff. • This raised taxes on American imports by 60%.

Quick-write

• Why might Germany have trouble paying back France & England?

Germany

• France and England looked to Germany to pay the debt.

• Germany couldn’t pay, the U.S. came up with the Dawes Plan or 2.5 million dollars to loan to Germany.

Scandal

• Harding’s cabinet were made up of his so called Ohio gang (poker buddies)

• Many of the gang were caught in bribery and fraud cases.

• The Teapot Dome scandal would see a Albert B. Hall give private land and later receive over $400,000 in payments.

Business of America (12.3)

• New President Calvin Coolidge took office with a pro business attitude.

• The automobile (ford) had a huge impact on peoples lives.

• Urban sprawl was one result (suburbs)

Airplane Industry

• Began as a mail carrying service. • By 1927, transatlantic flights were possible. • The annual income increased 35% during this time. • Money and electricity allowed people to enjoy things

such as dishwashers and refrigerators.

Superficial Prosperity

• People continued to feel they would make more and more money.

• Buying goods on credit became the norm for many working families.